So you’ve finally finished the first draft of your fiction story. Congratulations! But now comes the hard part – revision. Don’t worry though; I’m here to guide you through this process with some simple steps and tips. So let’s dive in!
First things first, take a break. Give yourself some time away from your manuscript so that when you come back to it, you can approach it with fresh eyes. A day or two should do the trick. Trust me; stepping away will help you see your story more objectively and help identify areas for improvement.
Once you’ve taken your break, grab a cup of coffee (or tea if that’s your thing), sit down comfortably, and start reading through your first draft. As you read, ask yourself these questions:
“The first draft is you telling yourself the story. The revision is you telling it to everyone else.” – Kurt Vonnegut
- Does the plot make sense? Are there any holes or inconsistencies in the storyline? Make sure everything flows smoothly from beginning to end. If something doesn’t quite fit, consider rearranging scenes or adding new ones to fill gaps.
- Is your protagonist likeable and relatable? Do they grow and change throughout the story? Check their motivations and actions; ensure they are consistent with their character traits.
- Are there any slow parts in the story that could be tightened up? Look for opportunities to cut unnecessary details or dialogue, keeping only what’s essential to move the plot forward.
- Is your setting vivid enough? Use all five senses to describe it so readers can visualise and feel immersed in the world you’ve created.
- Are there any overused phrases or cliches that need to be replaced with more original language? Keep things fresh by using unique descriptions and dialogue.
- Check for pacing issues. Make sure your story isn’t too slow in some parts and too fast in others. The pace should match the emotional intensity of each scene.
- Lastly, read aloud to catch any awkward sentences or typos you might have missed during previous edits. Reading out loud helps identify areas that sound unnatural or don’t flow well.
Now that you’ve gone through your manuscript with a critical eye and answered these questions, it’s time for some revisions! Start by making notes on each page about what needs to be changed. This way, you won’t lose track of where you left off in the story.
Once you’ve made all those changes, let your manuscript sit again for a day or two before giving it another read-through. Trust me; this extra step will help ensure that any remaining errors are caught and you can fix them.
Remember, revising is an iterative process. You might need to go through several rounds of revisions before you’re satisfied with your story. Don’t rush it – take the time needed to make your fiction story shine!
“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” – Mark Twain
Some guidelines
- Take a break: Before diving into revisions, give yourself some space from the first draft. A fresh perspective is crucial when it comes to editing and improving your work. Take a break, go for a walk or do something completely different for a few days or weeks – whatever you need to clear your head and come back with renewed energy. The more time you can take, the fresher your perspective will be when you return to it.
- Read it through: Start by reading through your entire manuscript without making any changes. This will help you get a sense of the overall flow and structure of your story. Pay attention to how the narrative unfolds, if there are any glaring issues or inconsistencies that jump out at you.
- Identify areas for improvement: As you read through your draft for the second time, make notes on areas where you think improvements can be made. This could include pacing, character development, plot holes, dialogue, setting descriptions, and so forth. Don’t worry about fixing these issues yet; just note them down as you go along.
- Read it aloud: One of the best ways to catch awkward sentences, clunky dialogue, and pacing issues is by reading your draft out loud. This method helps you hear the rhythm of your story and identify areas that might not flow as smoothly as they should. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back, and read your first draft aloud from start to finish.
- Identify areas for improvement: As you read through your draft for the second time, make notes on what you think works well and where it falls short. This could include strong character development, engaging plotlines, or weak pacing and dialogue. Be honest with yourself about the areas that need improvement – this will help guide your revision process more effectively.
- Revise in stages: Break your revision process into stages to make it more manageable. You might start by focusing on the big picture elements like pacing, plot structure, or character arcs. Then move onto smaller details such as dialogue, setting descriptions, and sentence-level revisions. You could start by tackling big picture issues – addressing any major issues in your story’s structure, such as pacing, plot holes, character arcs, or inconsistencies. This might involve reordering chapters, adding new scenes, or deleting entire sections that don’t serve the overall narrative. Remember to keep your reader in mind throughout this process – is each scene moving the story forward and engaging the reader?
- Get feedback: If possible, ask for feedback from beta readers or critique partners during this stage of revision. Their perspective can be invaluable in helping you identify areas that need improvement and offering suggestions on how to address these issues.
- Focus on dialogue: Conversational dialogue can make all the difference between a flat story and an engaging one. As you revise, pay close attention to the way characters speak, ensuring their dialogue sounds natural and reflects their unique personalities. Consider recording yourself or friends reading your dialogue aloud to get a sense of how it flows and feels in real life.
- Refine sentences and descriptions: Once you’ve tackled larger issues, zoom in on individual sentences and descriptions. Look for opportunities to tighten up prose by removing unnecessary words or phrases that slow down the pace. At the same time, be mindful of adding in details that bring your story to life and help readers visualise settings and characters.
- Repeat as needed: Revising a draft is an iterative process. You might need to go through several rounds of revisions before you’re satisfied with your story. Don’t rush it – take the time needed to make your fiction story shine!
- Celebrate your progress: Remember to celebrate each small victory along the way. Revising a draft can be daunting, but acknowledging and appreciating the progress you’ve made will help keep you motivated throughout the process.
Remember that these guidelines are flexible and should be adapted to suit your writing style and needs. The key is to approach revisions in a methodical yet conversational way, keeping the focus on improving your story while maintaining its unique voice and tone.
“Revision is the essential act of writing, a process that turns raw material into finished work.” – Stephen King
5 Common mistakes to avoid
- Not stepping away from the first draft for some time before starting revisions: It’s essential to take a break and gain perspective on your work so that you can approach it with fresh eyes during revision. This will help you spot inconsistencies, plot holes, or areas where the pacing might be off.
- Failing to trim unnecessary words or phrases: Overly descriptive passages or dialogue can slow down the pace of a story and distract readers from the main action. Be mindful of adding in details that bring your story to life without bogging it down with extraneous information.
- Ignoring the importance of consistent characterisation: Make sure each character remains true to their personality traits throughout the story, and avoid having characters act out of character or make inconsistent decisions. This will help readers connect more deeply with your characters and stay engaged in your story.
- Neglecting to proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors: Even if you’re not a perfectionist when it comes to writing, making sure your manuscript is free from basic mistakes can significantly improve its professionalism and readability. Invest in professional editing services or enlist the help of beta readers who can provide feedback on these aspects.
- Not considering the reader experience during revisions: As you work through multiple drafts, always keep your target audience in mind. Ask yourself if each scene is necessary for advancing the plot or developing characters and themes. If not, consider cutting it to maintain a tight focus on what matters most to your readers.
“In revising your work, always ask: ‘Does this passage serve a purpose? If not, remove it.’ A clear and concise manuscript will keep readers engaged and invested in your story.” – John Dufresne
5 Key takeaways
- Take a break: Give yourself some time away from your first draft to gain fresh perspective, allowing you to approach the revision process with renewed energy and clarity.
- Focus on big-picture edits first: Start by addressing major issues such as plot holes, inconsistent character motivations, pacing problems, unresolved conflicts, and ensuring that each scene serves a purpose in advancing your story or developing characters and themes.
- Seek feedback from others: Share your work with beta readers, writing groups, or critique partners to gain valuable insights on areas for improvement, including plot, characterisation, flow, grammar, punctuation, pace, tension, and conflict resolution.
- Fine-tune the language: Once you’ve addressed larger issues in your story, focus on refining individual sentences, improving dialogue, and enhancing descriptions to create a polished final draft that engages readers.
- Embrace revision as an iterative process: Remember that revising is not about perfection but progress; celebrate each step forward in making your story the best it can be while staying open to further revisions and improvements throughout the writing journey.
Conclusion
Revising a first draft can be both challenging, rewarding, and an intense process, but it’s also where the real magic happens. This is where you transform your raw ideas into refined, compelling stories. By following these steps and embracing the revision process, you’ll develop not only stronger writing skills but also a deeper understanding of your own creative potential.
Remember, rewriting is not just about making minor changes – it’s a chance to transform your ideas into something truly remarkable.
And there you have it! How to revise your first draft of your story (but it is only the first part!) I hope this helps you in your writing journey. Happy revising, and don’t forget to celebrate each small victory along the way!